BRAMSHOTT and Liphook Parish Council has agreed to let executive officer Peter Stanley take a year’s sabbatical, starting at the beginning of October.

Mr Stanley, who has been with the council for more than five years, will be taking an unpaid career break after 40 years of local government service.

Parish council chairman Jane Ives said: “While we are reluctant to be without Peter for 12 months, we fully support his request to take this time out from his very busy role.

“During his absence the council will employ a locum clerk to cover the role, and we are now actively recruiting in order for there to be a good handover period before Peter starts his sabbatical at the beginning of October.

“We are confident our existing staff and a locum will be able to keep the council wheels turning in Peter’s absence.

“The council will very much look forward to welcoming him back in the autumn of 2018 to continue the invaluable work he carries out for us presently.”

Mr Stanley added: “The locum is currently being advertised in sector specific sites and on the council website. The job is for up to 33 hours per week over four or five days. With locum cover, there needs to be some degree of flexibility. We are looking to recruit an experienced clerk.

“We are hoping to start the locum in September to allow some overlap before the sabbatical from October. The Haskell Centre opening hours will be unaffected.”